Epson celebrates its 70th birthday

Epson has just celebrated its 70th birthday.  The company began life in 1942 as a watch components manufacturer named Daiwa Kogyo in the Japanese city of Suwa, Nagano Prefecture.  Since then, Epson has grown to become a globally recognised brand and leader in imaging and innovation.

The company started with nine employees operating in a modified storehouse used for miso â€" a traditional Japanese seasoning used in some soup and noodle dishes.  The Epson brand was created in June 1975 and the foundation of Seiko Epson took place in November 1985.

Along this journey, milestone products and industry firsts include:

• 1968 â€" EP-101: The world’s first compact, lightweight digital printer and the origin of Epson’s printer business â€" representing a breakthrough in printer size
• 1969 â€" Seiko Quartz Astron 35SQ: the first quartz timepiece small enough to fit on a wrist instead of a table, giving people access to the correct time, anytime and anywhere
• 1987 â€" SG-615 crystal oscillator: The quartz device industry’s first crystal oscillator to come in a plastic Surface Mount Device (SMD) package
• 1994 â€" ELP-3000: A projector with dramatic reductions in size and weight, and the ability to connect to a PC with just one cable
• 1996 â€" Epson Stylus Photo: Offering high image quality and print speed to help bring casual colour printing to the home and office for the first time

“Epson’s origins as a watch manufacturer are indicative of its commitment to products of quality and precision,” says Tony Petford, Managing Director at Epson UK Limited.  “Over the last seven decades, we’ve pioneered some of the most exciting imaging technologies, coupled with strong energy-saving credentials. As the industry continues to change, we’re looking forward to showcasing future products and innovations.”

For more information, please visit www.epson.co.uk

Ilford launches laminate and screen print separation film

Ilford will unveil its first screen print separation film - an addition to its Omnijet inkjet media range, and its first fully biodegradable laminate - an addition to the BioMedia range, at the show.

The Swiss manufacturer described the Omnijet screen print separation film, which can be imaged on a roll-fed inkjet printer such as an Epson 4900, as a recyclable, high-performance alternative for the UV and visible light print separation market.

Commenting on Ilford's first screen print consumable, product marketing manager Matthew Littler said: "We have quite a long history of very high quality coating and an intimate knowledge of film, so we've applied those two competences together and created a really nice product that gives extremely high Dmax when used with normal, off-the-shelf, aqueous pigment inks."

The film offers high levels of resolution and density, with a Dmax of up to 4.5 (UV) and 3.1 (visible light). It is compatible with a range of inkjet devices, and is said to have instant drying and good registration properties thanks to accurate feeding, a dimensionally-stable base and, ease of use and good water resistance.

"Typical Dmax's for the industry on UV hover around late-threes, early-fours," explained Littler. "It's a logorithmic scale, which means a Dmax of five would be twice as dense as a Dmax of four, so a Dmax of 4.5 is quite a big step ahead."

Ilford will also launch a BioMedia laminate in gloss and matt finishes at Drupa 2012. Littler said the 75 micron laminate would significantly reduce the environmental impact of laminated products such as banner stands and in-store retail display boards.

"Something like 80% of pop-up banners get laminated and most of the materials used for lamination are PVC, which is about the nastiest thing you could think of in terms of disposal - you can't recycle it properly, if you burn it it gives off dioxins and hydrogen chloride, and it biodegrades in about 1,000 to 2,000 years," explained Littler.

"So the laminates that we've launched are a cellulose-based product - available in matt and gloss and in popular sizes to suit roller banners and pop-ups - and because they're cellulose-based they're very biodegradable."

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Ilford launches Biomedia laminate and screen print separation film

Ilford will unveil its first screen print separation film - an addition to its Omnijet inkjet media range, and its first fully biodegradable laminate - an addition to the BioMedia range, at the show.

The Swiss manufacturer described the Omnijet screen print separation film, which can be imaged on a roll-fed inkjet printer such as an Epson 4900, as a recyclable, high-performance alternative for the UV and visible light print separation market.

Commenting on Ilford's first screen print consumable, product marketing manager Matthew Littler said: "We have quite a long history of very high quality coating and an intimate knowledge of film, so we've applied those two competences together and created a really nice product that gives extremely high Dmax when used with normal, off-the-shelf, aqueous pigment inks."

The film offers high levels of resolution and density, with a Dmax of up to 4.5 (UV) and 3.1 (visible light). It is compatible with a range of inkjet devices, and is said to have instant drying and good registration properties thanks to accurate feeding, a dimensionally-stable base and, ease of use and good water resistance.

"Typical Dmax's for the industry on UV hover around late-threes, early-fours," explained Littler. "It's a logorithmic scale, which means a Dmax of five would be twice as dense as a Dmax of four, so a Dmax of 4.5 is quite a big step ahead."

Ilford will also launch a BioMedia laminate in gloss and matt finishes at Drupa 2012. Littler said the 75 micron laminate would significantly reduce the environmental impact of laminated products such as banner stands and in-store retail display boards.

"Something like 80% of pop-up banners get laminated and most of the materials used for lamination are PVC, which is about the nastiest thing you could think of in terms of disposal - you can't recycle it properly, if you burn it it gives off dioxins and hydrogen chloride, and it biodegrades in about 1,000 to 2,000 years," explained Littler.

"So the laminates that we've launched are a cellulose-based product - available in matt and gloss and in popular sizes to suit roller banners and pop-ups - and because they're cellulose-based they're very biodegradable."

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GMG launches GMG OpenColor and GMG CoZone

GMG is launching of two new products - GMG OpenColor and GMG CoZone.  GMG OpenColor is a revolutionary spot colour tool for the packaging market that will greatly extend colour control and repeatability in this sector, whilst GMG CoZone is a comprehensive cloud solution for professional media and color management users that will redefine how color management is used in the future.

These solutions will be demonstrated in Hall 4, Booth B25, at drupa and visitors to the exhibition will not only see these new products, but also exciting new features of established, world-class GMG solutions. Most notable of these is GMG’s groundbreaking ProductionSuite. Launched in February to target the booming wide format market, this modular solution is already transforming press rooms around the world. In addition, advances and upgrades to the GMG prepress portfolio, featuring products such as GMG ColorProof, GMG ColorServer and GMG InkOptimizer, will be showcased.

In addition to the GMG booth, visitors will also be able to experience GMG solutions at the Epson booth in Hall 05 (Booth A01-1), HP (Hall 04, Booth D60-1), Roland (Hall 09, Booth E04), UPM (Hall 06, Booth D60) and Zünd (Hall 09, Booth C03), working with diverse output devices and production environments.

Ian Scott, Managing Director at GMG, has no doubt that GMG's two product innovations will hit the market “like a technological thunderbolt”. He adds, "With GMG OpenColor we will herald a new era in packaging printing. Never before has a proofing solution been able to control process and spot colours like GMG OpenColor. Our second highlight is located in the Cloud: With GMG CoZone we have pioneered an integrated GMG web strategy. We have put into action what media managers really want: transparent project control and secure standards that are available to all process partners at all times. I believe that GMG CoZone is the definitive answer to soft-proofing."

New micro-squeegees added to Avery Tools range

One of the perennial problems facing self-adhesive graphics applicators, particularly on motor vehicles, is answered by innovative additions to the professional Avery Tools™ range from Avery Dennison:  Avery FleXtreme™ ‘micro-squeegees’.   They enable applicators to achieve a smooth finish around what may look like impossibly tight or intricate curves and corrugations.

Avery FleXtreme tools

Patent-pending Avery FleXtreme squeegees have been specifically designed for intricate vinyl graphics applications featuring very tight, compressed compound curves and other narrow substrate indentations.  They make it possible to smoothly push film down into the narrowest gaps â€" even between car panels and under the headlights.    Developed by Avery Dennison in close co-operation with the company’s professional applicator network across Europe, the new Avery FleXtreme squeegees have been extensively validated and tested.   

Two versions for different challenges

Supplied in a specially-designed plastic grip that fits easily into the Avery Toolbelt, the products are available in two logo-branded versions, in blue and red colourways to differentiate between a harder (blue) version and a more flexible (red) squeegee.

The blue Avery FleXtreme is designed to facilitate film application in areas of narrow curves and over the edges of car panels, and to ensure that the film conforms appropriately around the edges of logos and emblems, to create an aesthetically-satisfying application.  The red Avery FleXtreme is the right choice for film application over narrow, concave parts of a car, such as the grille, around the headlights, and the weatherseals around doors and windows.

Avery FleXtreme squeegees bring a new dimension to the art of squeegeeing, saving time and delivering an improved finish.  Full details are available via www.europe.averygraphics.com, and Avery FleXtreme squeegees â€" in boxes of 25 per quality â€" are available from Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions distributors throughout Europe.

ILFORD BioMedia signs up for EcoPrint 2012

ILFORD BioMedia is the latest company to pledge its support for the EcoPrint Show.  As well as exhibiting at the inaugural exhibition in Berlin, ILFORD BioMedia will join its fellow founding partners on the EcoPrint Development Group, where it will play a major role in defining and refining the event.

Paul Willems, CEO, ILFORD Imaging will represent ILFORD BioMedia on the development group and has also agreed to become an EcoPrint Ambassador.  He comments, “ILFORD Imaging is delighted to stand alongside the industry leaders taking part in EcoPrint, which is groundbreaking in its intention to explore sustainable printing solutions in the market today. We look forward to contributing to the success of the event through our experience of developing the ILFORD BioMedia range, a recyclable and biodegradable alternative to traditional vinyl-based substrates.” 

Marcus Timson, Director, EcoPrint, adds, “There has been overwhelming support for EcoPrint since last year’s launch, which is proof of the printing industry’s desire to tackle the biggest single issue it  currently faces: sustainability â€" both ecologically and economically. For its part, EcoPrint is proud to be the forum for that to take place and, because sustainability is not confined to any one part of the print industry, we are excited to be adding ILFORD BioMedia to the growing list of exhibitors.”

EcoPrint 2012, 26th - 27th September, will feature seminars, debates, discussions and advice for print businesses, creative agencies, marketeers and print buyers who are keen to successfully adopt an environmentally friendly printing strategy. It will be the first exhibition devoted to driving forward the print industry’s definition of sustainable products and services for print production. EcoPrint 2012 will focus on applications and the business of sustainability, in a unique format unlike the traditional print trade show model.

For more information, please visit www.ecoprintshow.com

Mimaki unveils UJF-6042 small-format UV flatbed

The 610mm x 420mm device builds on the success of the UJF-3042 FX and HG, both of which will continue to be sold alongside the 6042 when it arrives in January 2013.

In addition to doubling the bed size of the 3042, Mimaki has increased the maximum resolution to 1,800dpi and opted for a higher precision ball screw head conveyance mechanism.

Duncan Jefferies, marketing manager at UK distributor Hybrid Services, said: "The ball screw mechanism is much more accurate and means we can print a 2pt text.

"It's a feature that we have on a machine costing around £80,000 but it's the first time we've seen it at this level of the market."

Jefferies added that the larger A2 bed size would allow printers to reproduce the popular 60x42cm screenprint size while the addition of clear and white ink enables a range of special effects as well as printing onto clear substrates.

"You can print things like acrylic photoblocks, which are high value, high quality products by printing in reverse and backing it up with the white ink," he said.

"You can also print to clear film or board and because the curing uses LEDs rather than metal halide it's very cool, which avoids the problem with heat deforming that you can get with some of the sign and packaging films."

Jefferies added that the clear ink allows the creation of a number of textured effects, as well as printing braille onto packaging. "We've barely scratched the surface of what we can do with it - it has such a broad range of applications," he said.

"Because it's a UV printer it can print onto any substrate - you don't need to have a porous substrate because the ink sits on the surface and the LED flashes and cures it."

Jefferies said that pricing for the 6042, which has the same 150mm head clearance as the 3042 HG, was not yet available. The respective prices for the UJF-3042 FX and HG are £22,995 and £29,995 including RIP and a set of inks.

Mimaki officially launched the UJF-6042 at Photokina last month.

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New NEON inks available from Colourgen for Seiko ColorPainter W-54S and 64S

Colourgen has announced the immediate availability of new fluorescent ink for the ColorPainter W-54S and 64S mild solvent wide format printers.  The two new colours are NEON YELLOW and NEON PINK, which have been optimised to work with Seiko’s ColorPainter GX inkset. They are the world´s first* mild solvent fluorescent inks.

The new colours can be used as spot colours or as part of the traditional CMYK process. By mixing the fluorescent colours with the standard process colours, the finished output takes on a fluorescent effect. A variety of other fluorescent colours can also be created using this method.

Melanie Enser, product marketing manager for Colourgen, says, “These new fluorescent inks provide brilliant eye catching colour under normal lighting conditions. They produce spectacular results, particularly for short-term POS applications, special events and trade show decorations.  Seiko’s NEON inks create signs and graphics that stand out in dark environments such as amusement arcades, night clubs, casinos, pubs, bowling alleys, indoor amusement parks, indoor cart tracks, discotheques and much more.”

Supplied in 500ml cartridges, the new ink can be used with the ColorPainter W-64s and W-54s running SII’s ColorPainter GX inkset. The fluorescent ink is easily exchanged with the light colours, Light Cyan and Light Magenta in the ColorPainter W-Series printers.

Pricing and availability

The Seiko II ColorPainter W-Series and neon inks are available immediately from Colourgen authorised Channel Partners. 500ml neon ink cartridge: £225 SRP (ex VAT).

For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/REFvqP.

Falkirk Council completes investment with Perfecta guillotine

The automated machine, bought from IFS, will work alongside Printworks' Polar guillotine, which runs alongside a Presstek Dimension CTP system, a Xerox 2445, and a Horizon SPF/FC200A booklet production line, all bought since 2004.

The investment forms part of a plan to create a tailored approach to Falkirk Council's workload, increase capacity and boost turnover.

A Xerox 700 digital press replaced the 2445 in 2008 to enable the company to deal more efficiently with short-run digital work.

Printworks manager John Watt said: "Our workload is a lot of short runs with some longer runs in between. With two guillotines, we are eliminating a major bottleneck. Now they can both be used efficiently on all work, be it long or short runs."

The in-house print plant has boosted turnover to in excess of £900,000 from £549,000 before the investment programme, £200,000 of which has been reinvested in council services since 2005. In addition, 95% of jobs are now produced in-house compared to 2004 when 50% were outsourced.

Printworks intends to explore wide-format and personalised mail opportunities to take advantage of public sector postal discounts, and has added a Canon 8800 and Presstek 52DI to venture into the market.

Watt said: "We tend to look at adding a new service for about six months, outsourcing what we can't do. If it looks to be a longer term success, then we look at how we can bring it entirely in-house."

Printworks is entirely owned by Falkirk Council, creating all internal business stationery along with marketing leaflets and newsletters, and produces work for the public sector including the NHS and police and fire services.

Watt said: "The secret of our success is that we see ourselves as a commercial printing company that just happens to be owned by a council. We have changed to an organisation sat in the centre looking out from being on the outside looking in."

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Wide Format: A 2012 retrospective

Regardless of whether your interest was in fabric, outdoor, POS or display printing, Fespa 2012 had something for everyone and for anyone who thought the show might suffer from the "Drupa effect" the opposite proved true.

Equally, a significant portion of the Messe Dusseldorf was given over to the wide format sector at Drupa 2012 and while some products first shown at Fespa had their commercial launch at the show, there were plenty of prototypes on display, including a Memjet-powered Fuji Xerox device that was seen churning out posters on the Caldera stand.

In business terms there were two major UK mergers of note, with Icon's parent company Chime acquiring McKenzie Clark and France-based Prismaflex acquiring Urban Storm. The former was responsible for all of the outdoor print for the London 2012 Olympics while Prismaflex was never far from the news, with a spate of investments, contract wins and product launches spread throughout the year.

As we enter 2013 all eyes will turn again to London and Fespa 2013.

January

EFI confirmed the commercial availability of its dye sublimation printer, the EFI Vutek TX3250r… Fujifilm said it would give a UK debut to its latest UV printer, the Acuity LED 1600, at Sign & Digital UK 2012… Wide-format manufacturer Polytype said that its UV-curable print platform, the Virtu Quantum, offered an "unparalleled combination of speed and quality" ahead of its commercial launch at Drupa… Mimaki prepared to hand a European debut to its new dye sublimation printer, the TS34-1800A, at February's Fespa 2012 exhibition...

February

Bridgeshire Packaging bought the world's first HP Scitex FB7600 flatbed printer as part of a digital print expansion programme… While at Fespa 2012, Epson debuted its latest wide-format printer, the SureColor SC-S30600… Agfa launched its entry-level flatbed, the M2540 FB… Mimaki unveiled what it claimed was the "world's fastest" dye sublimation printer, the TS500-1800, and made its foray into latex print production with the launch of a new product range, the JV400 LX… Océ launched a new entry-level addition to its Arizona range of UV flatbed printers, the 318 GL… Lynx Europe launched the 250FB-UV… Meanwhile, Bristol-based wide format printer Urban Storm was acquired by international outdoor media specialist Prismaflex…

March

McKenzie Clark joined forces with event branding specialists Icon, after being acquired by Icon's parent company Chime Communications… AdGraphics president Rich Thompson was named World Print Champion for the Fespa Hall of Fame 2012, fending off competition from 400 printers worldwide… HP announced a white ink option for its Scitex FB7500 and FB7600 industrial flatbed printers… EFI unveiled the R3225 UV-curable printer for soft-signage applications…

April

H&H Group has continued its aggressive acquisition programme and expanded its digital print capabilities after acquiring Milnthorpe-based Cypher Digital… Showcard Print, the Letchworth-based point-of-sale business, was set to undergo a £15.3m management buyout (MBO) from parent group Havelock Europa… EFI said it would launch the Orion, a new digital press designed to replace wide-format screen printing, at Drupa… Durst unveiled its P10 series UV printers, capable of "fine art" quality output at resolutions up to 1,000dpi… Roland DG added a white ink option to its VersaStudio BN-20 and VersaCamm VS series of eco-solvent, metallic inkjet printer/cutters…

May

InkTec Europe showed the latest addition to its Jetrix range of UV wide format printers, the Jetrix 1212 FK, at Drupa… Ilford, the recyclable wide-format substrate specialist, has expanded into laminates and screen printing with the launch of two new products… Epson launched two new SureColor SC-S series printers, the Sure-Color SC-S50600 and the Sure-Color SC-S70600… Inca gave a world premiere to its Onset S40i flatbed UV printer… Fujifilm launched the Uvistar Pro8… EFI unveiled its latest UV hybrid printer, the Vutek QS2 Pro… Advertising company Ocean Outdoor was sold by initial investors Smedvig Capital to mid-market private equity house LDC for £35m… Memjet announced a new joint venture with Oce to develop a wide format printer capable of printing 500 A0 prints an hour…

June

W.A.E Group bolstered its digital wide-format capabilities after investing in an Agfa Jeti 3312 roll-to-roll printer… Prismaflex boosted its production capacity at its Newhaven, UK subsidiary with a new banner production line… B-Print and Display bolstered its wide-format capabilities after investing in an HP Scitex FB7600 Industrial Press…

July

Sun Chemical launched two new inks designed for use in wide- and super-wide-format printers… Cardiff-based large format printer Gardners was bought by a team led by ex-Bezier director Richard Courtney after falling into administration on 13 July… C3 Imaging was acquired by Zenith Print & Packaging and Zenith Media owner John Mooney, five months after it exited a company voluntary arrangement (CVA)… Xaar unveiled two new greyscale printheads, Proton15 and Proton15+, for wide-format graphics...

August

Mimaki's UK distributor Hybrid Services rolled-out a new trade-in initiative… SP Group sealed a £1m contract with Holland & Barrett's parent company NBTY Europe… Océ launched the CS9300 series of wide-format, eco-solvent printers for outdoor poster, display and signage applications… Roland DG launched the VersaArt RE-640, a new 1,656mm wide-format printer designed for companies making an entry into sign and display production…

September

Screenprint completed its first print job on ceramic tiles thanks to Fujifilm's Acuity Advance HD2565W… Inca Digital opened its new headquarters, doubling its production capacity and reaffirming its commitment to UK manufacturing… Italian trade printer Pixartprinting bought three more Rho P10 200 flatbed UV inkjet printers, bringing its total Durst collection to a record-breaking seven… Somerset-based Sign Solutions became the first European customer of Roland DG's new Soljet Pro4 XR-640… Seiko launched what it claimed were the world's first mild solvent fluorescent inks… Mimaki unveiled the UJF-6042, a small-format UV flatbed printer designed for high-quality photo print production onto rigid substrates…

October

Océ unveiled the latest additions to its Arizona range of UV flatbed and roll-to-roll printers, featuring two cyan and two magenta channels… Memjet announced plans to boost the life of its high-speed Waterfall inkjet print heads… Wide-format manufacturer SwissQPrint introduced a tandem print mode to its trio of flatbed digital printers that allows continuous production on precut substrates up to 760mm in height…

November

Fespa changed its membership structure to give full voting rights to non-European national member associations… Epson entered the dye-sublimation printing market with the launch of its SureColor SC-F series… Seal's new wide-format laminator, the 65 Pro MD, had its European debut at Frankfurt's Viscom 2012… Your Print Specialists (formerly Your Printing Supplies) joined Mimaki's reseller channel following a deal with Hybrid Services...

December

Prismaflex created the first energy self-sufficient out of home advertising display, with the launch of its solar-powered Autonomous Scroller displays… Ilford launched the Omnijet Display Trans media kit in Europe as a replacement for silver halide-based backlit display printing… Exhibition and display makers membership body Disq Group appointed Philippe Jefferies as chairman with a remit to expand its sales reach in 2013… Mimaki said it would set up a dedicated EMEA support operation before next summer in response to huge demand in the wide format market…

Hampshire Flag Company's flags to fly high in Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

Flags from the Hampshire Flag Company will be flying high in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations as they take pride of place on board a Scottish boat.

The Moray Gig is one of 1000 vessels which will sail down the Thames on Sunday 3rd June in the Diamond Jubilee Pageant flying specially produced flags - the Moray Flag and a Red Ensign - created by Hampshire Flag Company.

A crew of 14 from Moray, North East Scotland will be representing the Lieutenancy of Moray as they row the 38ft traditional sail training vessel named Bien Trouvé, one of a fleet of 200 rowed or paddled craft that will precede the Royal Barge. Including mustering and dispersal, the crew will have to row nearly 14 miles, testing to the full their rowing skills and fitness.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee pageant will feature one of the largest flotillas ever assembled on the river and will comprise rowed boats, working boats and pleasure vessels of all sizes dressed with streamers and Union Flags.

Neil Sutherland, Vice Chair of the Moray Gig says, “The Hampshire Flag team was extremely co-operative and supportive, and willing to go the extra mile to ensure the Moray Coat of Arms was made correctly and met the approval of the Ross Herald of Scotland. We are delighted with the flags and look forward to flying them during this once in a lifetime event.”

The Moray Flag was presented by the Convener of The Moray Council, George McIntyre and the new Red Ensign was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Grenville Johnston.

Graham Wilkinson, Hampshire Flag’s Managing Director adds, “It is great that our flags will be taking part in such a high profile and prestigious event and this is just one of the many fascinating Jubilee orders we’ve received in the last month or so.”

Flushing cartridges and maintenance kits now available from Selectech

Selectech, the specialist supplier of ink, media and accessories to the professional wide format sign and display print market, has announced the timely availability of a two solutions â€" a maintenance kit and a flushing cartridge - which will provide print service providers with all the necessary kit to flush out and clean their printers over the Christmas period.

The maintenance kit consists of 500ml of MX Flush, two DX4 wipers, one DX5 wiper, ten lint-free wipes, ten foam-tip swabs, one syringe and two pairs of gloves.  The flushing cartridges offered are 220ml and can be purchased separately.

Selectech advises that solvent and eco-solvent printers should be flushed once or twice a year, depending on usage.  Christmas time is normally the best time to complete this task due to most companies shutting down for at least a week.

Selectech’s Aaron Clarke comments, “Flushing your printer in this way will help prevent heads from clogging and it will also help clean the ink lines and dampers.  With the cleaning kit you can also give good attention to the cap tops, pump tubing and waste tubing.  All of these parts are critical and need to be in good condition for you to achieve high quality printing for your customers.”

He continues, “It may also highlight areas that need attention â€" replacement sponges or dampers, new pumps or tubing.  You will then have time on your side to complete these tasks without the stress of your printer being down when you are busy.”

For more information, please visit www.selectech.co.uk, follow @Selectech_UK on Twitter or call +44 (0)1628 560 892.

Océ to demo new Arizona 318 GL UV flatbed printer at Sign & Digital

Océ’s will demo its recently announced Arizona 318 GL UV flatbed printer for the first time in the UK at Sign & Digital 2012 in Hall 3 on stand E10.   This highly-capable introductory UV flatbed model offers smaller print producers entry to the world of high-quality UV flatbed printing. 

In 2010, Océ Arizona Series platform printers captured 43 percent of new installations in the mid-range UV flatbed market. Since the first shipment of an Océ Arizona Series printer in 2007, nearly 3,000 systems built on this platform have been shipped to date.

The Océ Arizona 360 GT will star at Sign & Digital UK, as will the Océ ColorWave 600 poster printer, incorporating Océ CrystalPoint technology that uses toner pearls. Océ Imaging Supplies will also have a significant presence.

Once again at the show, Océ will be partnering Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd, the UK distributor for Zünd Systems Technik AG, the Swiss manufacturer of digital flatbed cutters. The two companies will be displaying the Zünd G3 L2500 digital cutting system. 

Océ and its partners will use the event to demonstrate the latest labour-saving innovations, designed to reduce waste and increase productivity. There will also be online access to the popular Océ Media Guide, which provides detailed advice and guidance that helps printing professionals select the best media for their printers and applications.

Derek Joys, Océ UK’s Display Graphics Systems’ Programme Manager, comments, “Once again our stand will be a must-see part of the show experience for all our customers and prospects, as well as other visitors. Sign & Digital UK is an important platform for us to demonstrate with world-leading technologies our commitment to this all-important market sector.”

For more information on Océ, please visit www.oce.com

[photo shows Océ Arizona 318 GL UV flatbed printer]

Chaggars Displays buys Mutoh ValueJet 1304 from Colourgen reseller, Design Supply

Southall, UK-based Chaggars Displays has purchased a Mutoh ValueJet 1304 from Colourgen reseller, Design Supply, to enable its business to further expand into the signage market space.

Chaggars Displays' printing and framing business has been established for some years, but as Ricky Chaggar explains, “We kept being asked if we could also provide signage. We wanted to extend our business, so we looked around for a printer that could not only cater for our printing and framing business, but also allow us to get in to the sign business cost effectively.”

He continues, “We had a limited budget and equally didn’t want to invest heavily at the start-up stage of the sign business.  Design Supply took us through a number of solutions, but it was clear that the eco-solvent Mutoh ValueJet 1304 was the best because it offered us the flexibility to print the output for both businesses.  Now we print vinyl, canvas, photographic, banner and backlit output all on the Mutoh.  As time goes by, I’m sure we’ll be doing even more with it. The printer is a great all-rounder and we are more than happy with it.”

The Mutoh ValueJet 1304 eco-solvent printer has a media width of 54" (1371.5mm) and print width of 53.36" (1355.5mm).  This printer is ideal for current users of water-based printers who want to branch out in to durable indoor and outdoor signage, but also for those more experienced users who want extra capacity and are limited on space.

For more information on Design Supply, please visit www.designsupply.co.uk.

The Mutoh ValueJet 1304 is priced at £8,590 SRP ex VAT

Starring role for Fujifilm Acuity LED 1600 at Duplo's London Calling Rocks event

Fujifilm will be exhibiting the Acuity LED 1600 at Duplo’s London Calling Rocks event (British Music Experience, O2 Arena, 6th â€" 7th November), alongside solutions from fellow Duplo partners ESKO, Balreed, Fastback and Vpress.

Fujifilm will seize the opportunity provided by the UK’s leading print and finishing event to showcase the variety of applications that can be fulfilled using the Acuity LED 1600. Samples from Fujifilm’s euromedia range will also be on show, including vinyls and other flexible substrates, all of which can be used with the Acuity LED 1600.

“This is the first time we are attending London Calling as exhibitors,” explains Mark Stephenson, sales manager â€" digital solutions at Fujifilm UK, “And it’s the ideal platform for the Acuity LED 1600. We’ve followed the musical theme of the event to show visitors just one of the funky end results they could produce, by printing several guitars for visitors to take home in order to put their air guitar skills to the test.”

Fujifilm’s Acuity LED 1600 achieves a best-in-class combination of 20m2 per hour productivity and excellent image quality. It supports substrates up to 1,610mm in width and is designed to print on wide-format roll media, and rigid sheet substrates up to 13mm thick (including PET, acrylic, polycarbonate substrates and lightweight boards). The printer features six ink colours plus white and clear ink as standard and can apply these in a single pass to produce a premium high gloss finish with a much higher efficiency than a conventional printer (where coloured and clear inks are applied in separate passes). The Acuity LED 1600 is ideal for many large format applications such as posters, in-store POP and retail displays, as well as packaging.

Orbus deploys Ergosoft's TexPrint RIP solution

Orbus Exhibit & Display Group, one of North America’s leading suppliers of display, exhibit and event solutions, has partnered with ErgoSoft, a leader in RIP solutions, to enhance colour matching and print quality as well as streamline the company’s printing processes.

"ErgoSoft RIP Solution, TexPrint, is the complete solution for handling all of our graphic printing needs. From its integrated colour profiling software to its automated cutting functionality, it provides virtually every feature we could need or want to produce a higher quality print graphic,” says Jaime Herand, Orbus' director of graphic operations.

Greater efficiencies are achieved with TexPrint’s automation and streamlined processes and Orbus’ use of this RIP solution will 'elevate the company’s high graphic standards to an even greater level'.  ErgoSoft’s sophisticated colour features allow Orbus to reach a wider colour gamut and closer vibrant matches for Pantone colours, providing a better quality print for its customers.

"In addition to the streamlined processes and improved colour benefits of the software, ErgoSoft's customer support and hands-on training programme has ensured that our team has the highest knowledge of the features offered," continues Herand.

“Under the direction of Jaime Herand, the Orbus graphics department proved that it is possible to implement new RIP technology while maintaining a rigorous production schedule. The challenge of printing legacy work while introducing new technology to improve colour fidelity, colour matching, and production efficiencies proved inconsequential when compared to the resulting improvements,” adds Robert Nute, Director of Business Development at ErgoSoft.

Each of Orbus’ facilities are fully equipped with this new RIP Solution in addition to its G7 Master Print certification, providing superior graphic services across the United States.

Dufaylite awarded POPAI sustainability award

Dufaylite has been awarded the Point-of-Purchase Advertising International (POPAI) Sustainability Standard benchmark for going ‘above and beyond the current industry average’ in its environmental practices.  Following a detailed audit, Dufaylite, which produces a range of low carbon substrates including eco-friendly Ultra Board, received a glowing report. The areas of best practice praised by the adjudicator were Dufaylite’s ‘exemplary’ evidence of sustainable design and supply chain management.

The two stage assessment evaluates companies’ environmental efforts in seven key modules: Design, Plant & Premises, Materials & Processes, Corporate, Supply Chain, Logistics and End of Life. Dufaylite successfully completed each category, passing the audit as a whole.

POPAI’s sustainability manager, Jennifer Wilson, says: “Dufaylite has embraced the POPAI Sustainability Standard and the spirit in which it was intended, ensuring its successful implementation within the business. With this in mind, Dufaylite has mirrored the core ethos of quality and integrity within its environmental practices, something that many companies find difficult to achieve.”

Tony Moscrop, Dufaylite’s chief executive officer, adds, “We are thrilled to have been awarded this terrific green accreditation for our ongoing commitment to sustainable practice. Operating as greenly as possible, not just in creating our products, but in all aspects of our business is of prime importance to us and I am delighted that our efforts have been formally acknowledged in the glowing report we have received.”

Dufaylite Group is the sole UK manufacturer of recycled paper honeycomb â€" a 100% recyclable, robust and versatile core material that has become an innovation in the signage industry and is used in many industrial applications. Major suppliers to the retail and manufacturing industries, Dufaylite now exports to Europe, Australia and the US.

Special offers and live demos of Corel X6 at Sign & Digital 2012

Following the successful launch of CorelDRAW®Graphics Suite X6 earlier this week, Corel has announced it is now planning to attend Sign & Digital UK 2012 (stand C38.)

Sign & Digital UK celebrates its 25th anniversary providing Corel with the perfect platform to demonstrate the latest version of its flagship product. The show offers exclusive access to the sign making and digital printing industries' latest innovative products, technologies, services and applications and is seen as the leading event of its type in the UK.

James Phillips, Corel's marketing manager - who will be attending the event - comments, “The sign industry is a very important market for CorelDRAW and we look forward to demonstrating the significantly improved workflow, performance and raft of new features in our latest version. CorelDRAW continues to be the leading graphics solution for those in production-related businesses. We will be offering exclusive demonstrations and tutorials to visitors showing how they can achieve their goals in their daily work as quickly and easily as possible.”

Visitors can meet the Corel team at stand C38 in Hall 3, where the company will be showcasing CorelDRAW X6 for the first time, running live demos every day in the Corel theatre. Visitors are also invited to speak with Corel’s experts and take part in free tutorials tailored to the requirements of the sign making and embroidery industry.

Exclusive special offer at the show â€" Free Corel AfterShot Pro worth £79.99

Visitors to the show who purchase the full version of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6 will also be given a free boxed copy of Corel® AfterShot Pro, a fast and flexible photo workflow solution that combines robust photo management, advanced non-destructive editing and complete RAW processing for more professional photos, worth £79.99. This exclusive offer will only be available from registered resellers exhibiting at Sign & Digital UK: Radecal Signs on stand H30, and Signmaster Systems Ltd on stand N20.

Colorific to bring its high quality alternative inks to Sign & Digital UK 2012

Colorific, a leading European supplier of high quality, alternative inks, will be demonstrating its range of cost-effective ink solutions on stand P130 at Sign & Digital UK.  The event takes place at Birmingham NEC between 27th and 29th March 2012.

Regardless of printer model and application, Colorific has a cost-effective, high quality, alternative ink to meet every requirement.  Colorific is so confident of the quality of its ink range that it is now offering a 100% satisfaction guarantee across its Mimaki and Roland range of ink solutions.

Shaun Holdom, Business Manager for Colorific, comments, “There are clear benefits in switching across to our high quality alternative inks.  They are more cost-effective than OEM inks, yet there is no difference in the quality of output and no issues switching over.  The vast majority of our customers report over 30% cost saving on alternative ink compared to OEM ink.”

Since its introduction to the European market in 2009, Colorific has continually grown its portfolio of ink solutions so it now encompasses the majority of wide format printers currently in use today.  Colorific inks are distributed across the globe by a number of leading companies including PaperlinX/Robert Horne Group.

Shaun Holdom adds, “Ours is the first alternative ink solution to be widely adopted and accepted at corporate level â€" an achievement of which we are immensely proud.  Our inks have developed a well-earned reputation for quality and stability at a fraction of the price of OEM inks and as a result, our global expansion continues apace.”

If you would like to book an appointment at Sign & Digital UK, please email shaun.holdom@colorificink.com

For more information on Colorific and its ink solutions, please visit www.colorificink.com

Disq Group appoints chairman to lead 2013 push

Jefferies, managing director of Disq member Promotor Industries, will control and manage activites within the group, which includes Essex-based Eurostand Display, Skipton's Eve Products, and Alfa Display, based in Fordingbridge, Hampshire.

The group, set up in early 2012, works as "separate businesses holding hands" helping the four companies, which produce banner stands and exhibition displays, to "cover every angle of the display industry", according to Jefferies.

He said: "It was an idea that grew and we have realised what potential we have, and between the four companies, there is a vast product range. We have some morals and principles that we abide by, such as selling to trade only and not stepping on each others toes. Our products complement each other.

"We all have great ideas and are enterprising but you need someone to have a bit of control over it. As we have got keener to develop the group, we decided we needed someone to head it."

Jefferies said that Promotor Industries' expertise in export markets would benefit the group's focus on that market in 2013.

He added that the group was mutually beneficial for all companies as the UK was a key area for Promotor Industries, a market which the three other businesses have great experience and knowledge of.

Jefferies said: "All the companies are well established separately but we are getting much better contact between the salespeople, there are leads being passed on and it is generating business between each of the group members.

"It is working well but I think this is just the start."

He will also act as a figurehead for the group at industry events such as June 2013's Fespa, one of Disq's first exhibitions as a group.

The companies are releasing new products in the New Year and have put together a brochure, to be released in January, to actively market the group.

Jefferies said that the combined turnover of the four companies in their first year as members of Disq Group was estimated to be £6m.

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Prismaflex launches self-powered outdoor displays

The breakthrough has been enabled using a transparent photovoltaic film that taps the sun's energy to power both the scrolling mechanism and the LED lighting used by the Autonomous Scroller display.

It is the product of an 18-month research project with French technology firm Wysips, inventor of the solar-tapping film, with which Prismaflex signed an exclusive worldwide agreement in August 2011.

Wysips created the film to apply to mobile phones to allow them to recharge under ambient light conditions; however, a lenticular process that incorporates the photovoltaic cells in a very thin transparent film made the technology suitable for powering advertising displays.

The film is applied to the glazed part of the scrolling signs and can be used on anything from bus shelters to 48 sheet billboards. In addition, the same technology can be applied to LED screens to reduce power consumption by up to 30%, saving thousands of pounds a year on a single site.

Sam Cook, chief executive of Prismaflex UK, said that the Autonomous Scrollers combined the ability to run a scroller with LED lighting rather than fluorescent tubes with the new photovoltaic film to create an out of home display that is completely autonomous from the grid.

"This technology could potentially change the landscape because it's not just the electricity saving, it's the ability to get electricity to the site," he added. "This opens up the possibility of new sites in remote locations where there is no electricity because you won't have to pay for an expensive connection to the grid.

"So suddenly you can have a bus shelter out in the sticks with a scrolling display and LED lighting; equally if you want to mount a 48-sheet display on a wall then you no longer need to worry about getting electricity to the site."

Cook added that the Autonomous Scrollers would cost slightly more, but that the energy savings would be "significant", while the environmental benefits would be welcomed by advertisers.

"If you look at the electricity consumption on the big LED screens then not only is the bill horrendous, but these things are really not very eco-friendly and if you can cut their power consumption by a third that's going to have a significant impact."

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And finally... a star is born(?!)

 

It's all for charity, mate!

Friend of LFR and print industry PR and commentator, Jack Gocher, has spent the last few weeks helping out with Radio Christmas â€" a charity radio station broadcasting from a house in Amersham.  A little garden cottage has been converted into a proper radio studio and local people - young and old - have come together to host shows which are available to listen to on 87.7FM, online at www.radiochristmas.co.uk and on iPhone and Android apps.

The station is raising money for Street Kids Direct, which runs projects in Guatemala and Honduras for children either living on the streets or working in the city dumps. They set up schools and orphanages and they also work on the streets, helping children with medicines, food and other support. It is a unique charity, which ensures that every penny donated goes directly to helping the kids â€" no admin, no expenses, no other costs â€" it all goes to making sure some children living in the worst imaginable conditions have a happier Christmas.

Jack still has some shows left if you want to check it out [insert: 'have a laugh'. (Ed)].  He is on air at 8pm to 10pm on Thursday night (20th December) with the 80s show and also Saturday 22nd December at 3pm with the Football show.

On his first move towards the global domination of the airwaves, Jack says, “It’s been great fun. And at least I have been able to provide the charity station with some great signage, courtesy of GPT and Colourgen. It’s all for a good cause, so hopefully people will help us out with a donation*."

Please tune in [insert: 'if you can bear the thought'. (Ed)] and - if you are feeling Christmassy - Jack asks that people check out the web site for details on how to donate to the charity. There are some great prizes to win, including a mini iPad, a champagne tea for two at the Stoke Park Hotel and many more.

*The easiest way to donate is to send a text to 85010 then space, then KIDS. This will give a donation of £1 to the charity. More details can be found on the website www.radiochristmas.co.uk